title: Preparation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)/WO₃ composites and enhanced visible-light-driven photodegradation of acetaldehyde gas.
abstract: Novel visible-light-driven graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)/WO₃ composite photocatalysts were prepared, and the acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) degradation activity of these composites was evaluated. The prepared g-C₃N₄/WO₃ composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV-vis), and the N₂ gas adsorption Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method (N₃-BET). The WO₃ particles, which were 100-300 nm in size, were in direct contact with the g-C₃N₄ sheet surface. The optical band gap and specific surface area of the g-C₃N₄/WO₃ composites were in the range of 2.65-2.75 eV and 4-7 m(2)/g, respectively. The g-C₃N₄/WO₃ composites exhibited higher activity for the photodegradation of CH₃CHO under visible light irradiation compared to g-C₃N₄. The optimal WO₃ content for the CH₃CHO photodegradation activity of the heterojunction structures was determined. The synergistic effect of g-C₃N₄ and WO₃ was considered to lead to improved photogenerated carrier separation. A possible degradation mechanism of CH₃CHO over the g-C₃N₄/WO₃ composite photocatalyst under visible light irradiation was proposed. These results should usefully expand applications of g-C₃N₄ as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst.
authors.affiliation: Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan. katsumata.k.ab@m.titech.ac.jp
authors.forename: Ken-ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katsumata
authors.forename: Ryosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Motoyoshi
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okada
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D000327:Adsorption; D000393:Air Pollutants; D002384:Catalysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D007221:Industry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010782:Photolysis; D012666:Semiconductors; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D009570:Nitriles; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; C011206:cyanogen; D006108:Graphite; D000079:Acetaldehyde
keywords: Acetaldehyde; Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C(3)N(4)); Photocatalyst; Visible light; WO(3)